The Council meeting on 15 July 2026 began with tributes to the late Jeff Williams, former Chief Executive of Buckinghamshire Council, and the adoption of the Buckinghamshire Council Corporate Plan 2026-2031. The meeting also saw the referral of a motion on community governance review to the Standards and General Purposes Committee and the passing of a motion regarding transparency in planning.

Tributes to Jeff Williams

The meeting commenced with heartfelt tributes to Jeff Williams, former Chief Executive of Buckinghamshire Council, who served the authority from 1996 until his retirement in 2016. Speakers, including the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Lady Howe, former council leader Martin Tett CBE, and Councillor Andy Huxley, remembered Mr Williams for his dedication, kindness, integrity, and deep commitment to public service. He was also noted for his passion for rugby, his fairness, and his support for his staff. A minute's silence was observed in his memory.

Buckinghamshire Council Corporate Plan 2026-2031

The Council formally adopted the Buckinghamshire Council Corporate Plan 2026-2031. Leader of the Council, Councillor Steven Broadbent, presented the plan as a statement of intent for the next five years, aiming to build a stronger Buckinghamshire together. The plan outlines five key priorities: opportunity and aspiration for all; shaping great places; thriving communities; supporting the most vulnerable; and providing quality and value.

During the debate, Councillor Francis Kennella raised concerns about the delivery of affordable homes, particularly in the south of the county, questioning how the council would ensure developers met targets. Councillor Lou Munger highlighted significant discrepancies between population growth figures in the corporate plan and housing delivery forecasts, questioning the accuracy of the data. Councillor Susan Morgan, speaking for the Liberal Democrat group, stated they would be abstaining from the vote, arguing the plan lacked measurable targets, timelines, and KPIs, and failed to address the council's biggest pressures. Councillor Anya Schaefer sought more detail on the proportion of the highway budget spent on preventative maintenance. Councillor Thomas Broome defended the plan, stating that much of the information requested was already published and criticised the opposition for not conducting sufficient research. Councillor Robin Stutchbury expressed concern about the balance between aspiration and support for the vulnerable, fearing that fiscal realities might hinder delivery. Sir Simon Rouse welcomed the document, calling it a strategic document and urging members to engage with scrutiny committees to hold the cabinet to account. Councillor Ed Gemmell supported the plan as a starting point, particularly highlighting the commitment to protecting nature and coping with extreme weather. Councillor Robert Carington, as seconder, pointed out that corporate plan indicators were available online and defended the plan's ambition. Councillor Broadbent concluded by urging members to read the plan and its indicators, defending the use of ONS figures for housing growth and highlighting the commitment to affordable housing. The plan was subsequently approved by a show of hands.

Audit and Governance Committee 2025/26 Annual Report

Councillor Matthew Walsh, Chairman of the Audit & Governance Committee, presented the committee's annual report for 2025/26. The report detailed the committee's work in overseeing governance, risk management, and control frameworks. Key achievements included approving the Annual Governance Statement, overseeing the Statement of Accounts, supporting the external auditors in rebuilding assurance after disclaimed opinions, and strengthening oversight of contract management and purchasing card governance. The committee also reviewed council-owned trusts and company governance. The report was noted by the Council.

Cabinet Member Reports

Reports were received from the Leader, Councillor Steven Broadbent, and Cabinet Members for Communities (Councillor Steve Bowles), Culture and Leisure (Councillor Peter Brazier), Transport (Councillor Thomas Broom), Environment, Climate Change & Waste (Councillor Ade Osibogun), Housing and Regulatory Services (Councillor Mark Winn), Planning (Councillor Peter Strachan), Health and Wellbeing (Councillor Isobel Darby), Education and Children's Services (Councillor Carl Jackson), and Resources (Councillor Robert Carington).

Key points from the reports included:

• Leader: Updates on strategic finance, UKREiiF feedback and the Aylesbury Town Centre Prospectus, High Speed Rail 2 (HS2), East West Rail (EWR), Heathrow Airport, the Buckinghamshire Growth Fund, the Local Innovation Partnership Fund (Silverstone), an Office for Investment visit, the South East Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR), Woodlands & Eastern Link Road, and the Skills & Employment Strategy.
• Communities: Recognition of volunteers through the Proud of Bucks awards, updates on the Opportunity Bucks programme, community-led improvements, community activity days, community board updates, community safety initiatives including bleed kit training and modern slavery training, joint enforcement days, and support with the cost of living.
• Culture and Leisure: National Lottery funding success for the By Hook or By Book library programme, celebrations for Volunteers' Week, support for Carers Week through CareFest, expansion of the We Make Wycombe programme, updates from the Buckinghamshire Film Office and Archives, recognition of Black Park Lake in a national publication, improvements to country park car parks, play area upgrades, the centenary celebration of Higginson Park, and leisure updates including the management of Wycombe Rye Lido and improvements at Chilterns Lifestyle Centre and Risborough Springs.
• Transport: Progress on highways maintenance delivery, public realm improvements at White Hart Street, cycleway improvements at Bedgrove Park and Iver Pinewood, updates on the Marlow Bridge Restoration, the launch of the Misbourne Greenway, progress on Local Transport Plan 5, and public transport updates including the Local Authority Bus Grant and the Aylesbury to Luton Airport bus service.
• Environment, Climate Change & Waste: Securing of habitat banks and adoption of conservation areas, community flood resilience support services, updates on Project Groundwater, the Bucks Tree Mission landowner survey, a new woodland project, commitment to green energy, cleaner air initiatives, and volunteer efforts in the Great British Spring Clean.
• Housing and Regulatory Services: Progress in delivering affordable housing through Section 106 commuted sums, updates on homelessness prevention and advice, temporary accommodation, the Bucks Home Choice register, and the Registration Service's technological advancements. The Coroner's Service is discussing extending its mortuary services contract, and the Crematoria and Cemetery Service has won an APSE award for its gas usage dashboard. Trading Standards reported on successful prosecutions related to fraud and underage sales, while the Environmental Health team conducted food safety interventions and event safety work. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is being implemented, and the Licensing Service is reviewing its policy under the Licensing Act 2003.
• Planning: Updates on the validation backlog reduction, staffing within Development Management, and the Enforcement team's performance. The Local Plan is being prepared for public consultation, with evidence on housing need, including social rent housing, completed. Draft Parking Standards for New Developments and proposals for a new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for North and Central areas have undergone consultation. A new process for Secretary of State call-ins for developments of 150+ homes has been introduced.
• Health and Wellbeing: Updates on the new service model for adult social care short breaks, the Buckinghamshire Carers Partnership Annual Report, CareFest 2026, the new Mobilise carers support service, the adult social care restructure, the recruitment of an Admiral Nurse for dementia support, a new Market Position Statement for adult social care providers, an alcohol awareness campaign 14 is the Line, the annual Healthy Ageing Conference, and the new Sport in Mind offer for mothers and babies. National developments including the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and the NHS Modernisation Bill were also noted.
• Education and Children's Services: Updates on national reforms to children's services, the launch of two new Best Start Family Hubs, the Family Hub Network Conference, news from children's homes including the launch of Evergreen Lodge, and a survey on holiday childcare provision. School place planning and sufficiency were highlighted with the expansion of The Kingsbrook School and the construction of Orchard View Primary Academy. The first Unlocking Learning Through Tech conference was also held.
• Resources: Updates on improving customer contact through AI virtual agents and telephony, the redesign of the Council's website, the relocation of Shopmobility Aylesbury, and progress on the Estate Strategy Programme, including new staff offices and the Archives relocation. School building projects including Hampden Fields Primary School, Kingsbrook Secondary School expansion, Orchard View Primary Academy, and Salden Park Primary School were detailed. Regeneration updates included the opening of County Apartments in Aylesbury and a consultation on High Street Rental Auctions.

Notices of Motion

Education Sufficiency and Local Plan Decision-Making: Proposed by Councillor Robin Stuchbury and seconded by Councillor Maru Mormina, this motion called for a consolidated School Place Sufficiency Assessment to be prepared and circulated to all Members at least two weeks before the end of the Regulation 19 consultation period for the Local Plan. Councillor Carl Jackson, Cabinet Member for Education and Children's Services, recommended voting against the motion, stating that the council already undertakes this work and that finalising school place planning before housing allocations are confirmed would be putting the cart before the horse. The motion was ultimately not carried.

County-wide Community Governance Review: Proposed by Councillor Khalil Ahmed and seconded by Councillor Trevor Snaith, this motion called for a county-wide Community Governance Review to assess whether parish boundaries, governance arrangements, and electoral boundaries remain appropriate following the electoral review. The Chairman ruled that this motion would be referred without discussion to the Standards and General Purposes Committee for full consideration.

Transparency in Planning – Publication of Public Comments: Proposed by Councillor Jonathan Waters and seconded by Councillor Mark Roberts, this motion called for the Growth, Infrastructure and Housing Select Committee to undertake formal scrutiny of the decision to cease publishing public comments on planning applications. An amendment, proposed by Councillor Peter Strachan and seconded by Councillor Michael Bracken, was accepted, which requested the Cabinet Member for Planning to update the Select Committee on the work being undertaken to find a solution that satisfies legal advice, data protection law, and taxpayer interests, and to report back to all members when such a solution is found. The amended motion was carried.

Questions on Notice from Members

Several questions were put to Cabinet Members on various topics:

• Child Sexual Exploitation: Councillor Robin Stuchbury asked Councillor Carl Jackson about the implementation of recommendations from a 2016 inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation and current preventative measures. Councillor Jackson responded that the council works with partners through the Missing and Exploitation Hub and that an updated exploitation strategy is being developed.
• Obstructive Hedgerows: Councillor Trevor Snaith questioned Councillor Thomas Broom regarding the council's approach to reports of obstructive hedgerows. Councillor Broom clarified that while property owners are responsible for cutting hedges, the council has powers to act on safety grounds, even during bird nesting season, and will assess reports on FixMyStreet.
• Unauthorised Flags: Councillor Robin Stuchbury asked Councillor Thomas Broom about the council's policy on unauthorised flags on highway infrastructure. Councillor Broom confirmed the council's approach is to remove flags on safety grounds or where they cause damage, and that a balanced and proportionate approach is being taken.
• SEND Improvement Plan: Councillor Hazel Arthur-Hewitt asked Councillor Carl Jackson about the council's plan to improve SEND outcomes and when members would have an opportunity to scrutinise it. Councillor Jackson stated that the SEND Improvement Plan is subject to strong governance and regular oversight, with an update report scheduled for Cabinet in October.
• Swan Car Park Condition: Councillor Trevor Snaith raised concerns with Councillor Steve Bowles about the poor condition of the Swan car park in High Wycombe. Councillor Bowles acknowledged the issues and stated that immediate action is being taken to improve cleanliness, maintenance, and security, including repairing lifts and deep cleaning stairwells.
• High Wycombe Town Committee Governance: Councillor Chris Chilton asked Councillor Steve Bowles about improvements to the High Wycombe Town Committee's governance arrangements. Councillor Bowles outlined several implemented changes, including dedicated officer support and a financial scheme of delegation.
• Socially Rented Housing Assessment: Councillor Chris Chilton questioned Councillor Peter Strachan regarding the assessment of socially rented housing needs in the Regulation 19 Local Plan. Councillor Strachan confirmed that the Local Housing Need Assessment identifies a significant need for Social Rent housing, with detailed breakdowns provided.
• Procurement and Contract Oversight: Councillor Chris Chilton asked Councillor Robert Carington and Councillor Thomas Broom about contractual, auditing, and monitoring activities to ensure taxi service suppliers' tax compliance. The Cabinet Members responded that the council has contractual controls in place and does not routinely audit suppliers' tax affairs, but can request information and take action if concerns arise.
• Mental Health Act 2025: Councillor Robin Stuchbury asked Councillor Isobel Darby about the implementation of the Mental Health Act 2025 and its integration with the Care Act 2014. Councillor Darby explained that reforms are being delivered in stages, with a dedicated working group overseeing local preparations and ongoing collaboration with partners.
• Pavement Parking Enforcement: Councillor Khalil Ahmed asked Councillor Thomas Broom about plans to introduce enforcement powers for pavement parking. Councillor Broom stated that while the council welcomes the framework, primary legislation and DfT guidance are still pending before fines can be issued.
• 20mph Zones Outside Schools: Councillor Hazel Arthur-Hewitt asked Councillor Thomas Broom for details of research or consultation leading to his view that residents were against blanket 20mph zones outside schools. Councillor Broom cited discussions with residents and national survey results, particularly from Wales, and invited further discussion.

The meeting concluded with the noting of Cabinet Member reports and the confirmation of the date of the next meeting.